Destinations

We set out to get under the skin of the 130 destinations that we visit, from Egypt to Jamaica and from Bolivia to Japan. Combining the must-sees with the who-knews, we provide authentic travel experiences across the globe.

Destinations

Africa

Discover the vast, diverse continent that is Africa. Navigate through aromatic medinas, drive across stretching golden plains in search of the Big Five and discover tribal cultures. We challenge you not to fall in love.

Asia

Asia offers a heady mix of diverse traditions, religions, cuisine and architecture. Iconic monuments from the Great Wall of China to the Taj Mahal, and scenery from Indonesian rice paddies to the staggering Himalaya, give a flavour of its variety.

Australasia

Australasia is a region of vibrant colour, staggering landscapes and contrasting cultures. Compact yet varied, New Zealand is all about the great outdoors. It's best explored on foot, where you'll cover lakes and mountains, coasts and glaciers.

Europe

From the windswept Atlantic coast to the vast taiga forests in the east, and from the polar tundra to the sun-kissed Mediterranean, Europe's variety is second to none. The diversity of its cuisine, culture and climate mirrors that of its landscape.

Middle East

The Middle East is a heady concoction of welcoming people, ancient sites, stunning desert scenery and delicious food. Uncover history that spans millenia in colossal archaeological sites and sleep under starlit skies in the Arabian desert.

North America

North America is home to dynamic cities, rich cultural diversity and inspiring National Parks. From the canyons and deserts of the USA to Canada's Rocky Mountains and Alaska's wildlife, North America's charms are hard to resist.

Central America

The thin strip of land connecting North and South America contains eight countries packed with fascinating Mayan history, colourful modern cultures and pristine beaches. Here the rainforests, cloud forests and barrier reef bustle with biodiversity.

Caribbean

Fields of sugar cane, rum distilleries, freshly-cooked fish and jerk chicken and a laid-back attitude to life - there's lots to love about Caribbean holidays. And that's without even mentioning the glittering azure waters and miles of sandy beaches.

South America

South America is a continent of superlatives. Explore the world's largest rainforest and marvel at its highest waterfall. Walk its longest mountain range and discover its highest capital city. All washed down with hearty food and world-class wines.

Experiences

Adventure doesn't have to take you out of your comfort zone; from activities like zip-wiring in Costa Rica, to tasting local dishes in Italy and staying with local families in Peru, there's a little adventure to be found on all our travels.

Experiences

Discovery Holidays

Our discovery tours take in ancient and contemporary cultures, inspiring landscapes, iconic sites and hidden gems. Visit remote tribes in India's Nagaland, live the nomadic life in desert camps or stay with local families in the Mekong Delta.

Explore Beyond

Original. Innovative. Exclusive. The Beyond collection has our pioneering philosophy at its heart. Take a photography trip with a professional or watch a Mongolian eagle festival - you'll be one of few to share these limited edition experiences.

Walking and Trekking

There's something special about exploring entirely under your own steam. Our walking and trekking holidays take you closer to your destination and travel at slower pace. Choose from gentle walks through vineyards or more challenging mountain treks.

Polar Voyages

Set sail to the far ends of the earth to see its last remaining wildernesses. Travelling on a small expedition vessel crewed by polar experts, you'll wake up surrounded by glaciers and mountains stretching as far as the eye can see.

Wildlife Tours

Come face-to-face with mountain gorillas in Uganda, search for rhino in Swaziland or swim with sea lions in the Galapagos. We've put together 100 wildlife trips across all seven continents, from long weekends in Finland to epic Polar expeditions.

About Explore

At Explore, we're the experts in adventure travel. Our small group adventure holidays have been running since 1981. Today, Explore is one of the most trusted travel companies in the UK with over 600 trips to more than 130 countries.

The Inca Trail trek: the top 10 things you need to know

The Inca Trail is South America’s most iconic trek. If you’ve never done a multi-day trek, the idea of walking 43 kilometres at altitude may seem a little daunting – but we’re here to put your mind at rest.
Here are the top 10 things you need to know about the Inca Trail trek:

1. Is the Inca Trail difficult?
The Inca Trail is doable for anybody that leads a reasonably active life. The difficulty comes in the altitude, the distance covered and, at points, the steps which are uneven and well-worn making them slippery when wet. However, you can take as long as you need and stop to take in all the marvellous views and Inca ruins whenever you want. For those who struggle with descents, trekking poles can help, but it’s often a good idea to prepare with hilly walks or on a step trainer.

2. What is the highest altitude on the Inca Trail?
Dead Woman’s Pass is the highest point on the trek at 4,200m and the majority of the trail is above 3,000m. Altitude affects everyone differently (and some not at all). The more time you spend at altitude before the trek, the better your body will adapt so this is planned into the itinerary. Here are a few tips:

Drink plenty of water as you dehydrate faster at altitude.

The higher you go, the less oxygen there is, so you may get out of breath more quickly and take a bit longer to recover. Shorten your stride and go slow and steady.

Your digestive system slows down slightly, so eat little and often to keep your energy levels up.

3. How far is the Inca Trail and how many hours hiking will I do each day?
It varies from a two-and-a-half hour 6km walk on the first day, when we take it a little easier to allow you to adjust to walking at altitude, to the longest day (day three) - 10km over eight hours. The final day is mostly downhill, taking around 6 hours with stops to visit Inca sites before your first glimpse of Machu Picchu.

4. What kit do I need to hike the Inca Trail?
A comfortable rucksack is a must to carry all the essentials including snacks, clothing layers, waterproofs, sunglasses, sunscreen and of course, your camera. You can hire trekking poles and a sleeping bag before the trip but it’s worth bringing a sleeping bag liner for an extra layer at night.

5. What will I need to carry on the Inca Trail?
You only have to carry your day pack. The porters are there to help your Inca Trail run seamlessly. They carry your main luggage, all food and equipment, and they set up and break down camp each day.

6. What should I wear on the Inca Trail?
You really can experience four seasons in one day so layers are key. Alongside waterproofs, supportive walking boots are essential with breathable socks. Avoid cotton as it is a poor insulator when wet (whether from sweat or rain). Wearing quick-drying, breathable clothes makes trekking much more comfortable. You could even wear one of our lightweight Inca Trail souvenir tops – specially designed for walking.

7. How cold does it get, will I be cold at night?
The coldest months are June to August, when it can drop below zero at night. We provide inflatable sleeping mats to help insulate you from the cold ground and it’s worth bringing a four-season sleeping bag.During the day, temperatures are usually between 20-29°C.

8. What will the food be like on the trek?
Our Inca Trail cooks prepare nutritious, delicious food, served as sit-down meals under canvas. You’re also given a snack bag for each day’s hike plus tea and biscuits to welcome you back to camp.

9. What are the tents and the toilet facilities like on the Inca Trail?
Roomy, well-maintained two-man tents are provided. There are permanent toilets along the trail and portable bathrooms (toilet tents) for the group to use in camp.

10. How do I get a permit to hike the Inca Trail?
There are only 200 tourist permits available per day and these are required to trek the Inca Trail. If you book with Explore we’ll organise this for you; once you’ve booked your trip we purchase the permit on your behalf. The passes sell out quickly, particularly in the high season (July and August), so it’s worth booking your trip at least six months in advance.